From Jake Ohmer to Malik Monk to Lee Kiefer, what voters said about those outside the top 10

What media members who cast Kentucky Sports Figure of the Year votes said about those who finished outside the top 10:

11. Damien Harris

How you know him: Starting running back for national champion Alabama Crimson Tide from Madison Southern High School

What a voter said: “Averaging (7.4) yards a carry? For the national champs? Yeah, I’d say he made the right decision (in recruiting). I love watching him and rooting for the former Madison Southern star.” — Mary Jo Perino, WLXG-AM, Lexington

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12. Dan McDonnell

How you know him: Louisville Cardinals baseball coach who led Cardinals (53-12) to College World Series for fourth time

What three voters said: “The Louisville baseball coach was a calming presence before the storm for U of L Athletics.” — Keith Taylor, KentuckyToday.com

“He has taken the U of L baseball program to unbelievable new heights.” — Jamie Vaught, KySportsStyle.com

“Louisville is now a baseball town thanks to him.” — Dennis George, The Kentucky Standard, Bardstown

13. Jake Ohmer

How you know him: Relatively unheralded Scott High School boys’ basketball standout was the breakout star of Kentucky’s 2017 Boys’ Sweet Sixteen in Rupp Arena

What three voters said: “The stuff legends are made of: From obscure name to Rupp Arena lore while propelling Scott High to an unlikely run (to the state tournament semifinals).” — Alex Risen, WTVQ-TV

“His performance at the Boys’ Sweet Sixteen was what every starry-eyed Kentucky kid dreams of. The fact that he parlayed his week into a scholarship at WKU was very impressive.” — Jamey Johnson, WMDJ-FM, Martin

“Stories like Jake’s do not happen all that often anymore. A relatively unknown prospect (for much of the state) who takes the state by storm on the sport’s biggest stage, leading his team to the final four of the Sweet Sixteen and playing his way to a Division I scholarship. Jake’s story is what every high school basketball player in the state dreams of.” — Josh McKinney, WMDJ-FM, Martin, WMYT-TV, Hazard

Lexington fencer Lee Kiefer, left, rose to No. 1 in the world in foil in 2017, the first American woman ever to achieve that status.

Andrew Medichini Associated Press

17. Dale Romans

How you know him: Louisville native became all-time winning trainer in Churchill Downs history in November

What a voter said: “Grew up around Churchill Downs, and now the all-time winningest trainer under the Twin Spires.” — Kent Taylor, WAVE-TV, Louisville

18. Neal Brown

How you know him: Ex-UK wide receiver and offensive coordinator led Troy to 11-2 record that included upset win at LSU

What two voters said: “Brown’s turnaround at Troy has been nothing short of remarkable. He took over a floundering program and, after a transition year, is 23-5 over the last two years with a win at LSU — one of the most memorable college football upsets in recent history.” — Justin Rowland, CatsIllustrated.com

“A very good, charismatic coach from Boyle County, Ky., has show his mettle as a head coach. ... He has positioned himself for a major coaching job if he desires.” — Lonny Demaree, Kentucky Sports Report

Kentucky native Neal Brown, right, coached Troy to an 11-2 season in 2017 that included an upset win at LSU.

Gerald Herbert Associated Press

19. De’Aaron Fox

How you know him: Dynamic freshman point guard for University of Kentucky men’s basketball in 2016-17

What two voters said: “Malik Monk got more attention and more accolades but I’m still not sure Fox wasn’t the best player on the team.” — Mark Buerger, WLAP-AM

“The Wildcats’ most important player drove team to another Elite Eight ... ” — Mike Rose, WJSN-FM, Jackson

20. Craig Skinner

How you know him: Coached University of Kentucky volleyball to share of SEC title and NCAA Tournament round of eight

What a voter said: “(Skinner) has developed a consistent winner that continues to build on its success year over year. No shame in losing to eventual national champion (Nebraska). None.” — Jared Peck, Lexington Herald-Leader

21. Anthony Davis

How you know him: Former UK men’s basketball star was First Team All-NBA last season for the New Orleans Pelicans

What a voter said: “Just think what he would have done if he was healthy all year. He was still an All-Star Game MVP and First Team All-NBA.” — Ron Bailey, The Ledger-Independent, Maysville

22. Courtney Love

How you know him: Kentucky Wildcats starting middle linebacker won the Wuerffel Trophy presented to college football’s top community servant

What two voters said: “On-field accolades are great but being named college’s football’s “top community servant” transcends sports.” — Shawn Seay, WLXG-AM

“As if his leadership and performance on the field weren’t enough, Courtney Love also bags the Wuerffel Trophy for outstanding community service. That alone should vault him to the top of the leader board.” — John Huang, Nolan Group Media

Kentucky Wildcats middle linebacker Courtney Love received the 2017 Wuerffel Trophy that recognizes college football’s top community servant.

Alex Slitz aslitz@herald-leader.com

23. Adam Duvall

How you know him: Former Butler High School and U of L baseball star has become a slugging left fielder for the Cincinnati Reds

What two voters said: “With 31 home runs and 99 RBI, the former Butler High School and U of L star has filled the Cincinnati Reds’ black hole in left field.” — Graham Johns, WKYN-FM, Winchester

“Showed his rookie campaign was no fluke. The Louisville product is on track to have a prosperous MLB career.” — Chris Jung, The Kentucky New Era, Hopkinsville

24. Donovan Mitchell

How you know him: As a sophomore guard, was star of Louisville Cardinals men’s basketball team that reached NCAA Tournament round of 32

25. Keelan Cole

How you know him: Former Central High School and Kentucky Wesleyan football player made Jacksonville Jaguars as undrafted free agent and became a key contributor (42 catches) at wide receiver

What a voter said: “Undrafted free agents don’t make the impact that he did very often. From little old KWC, no less. All while the Jags won their division. Not too shabby.” — Matt Payton, WLCU-FM, Campbellsville

What voters said about some candidates who finished outside the Top 25 but received first-place votes (listed in alphabetical order):

Jasmine Camacho-Quinn

How you know her: UK women’s track star ran second leg of Kentucky’s national championship-winning 4-by-100 relay and finished second in the 110-meter hurdles at NCAA outdoor national championships

University of Kentucky track star Jasmine Camacho-Quinn, second from right, posed with her UK teammates after the Wildcats’ 4-by-100 relay team won the 2017 NCAA championship.

Chet White University of Kentucky Athletics

Clay Clevenger

How you know him: Coached his high school alma mater, Danville, to undefeated (15-0) Class 2A state football championship

What a voter said: “Clay Clevenger turned around a dormant powerhouse. Coming back to your alma mater can be difficult, especially when you replace a prominent head coach (Sam Harp). But this year’s state title shows Clevenger has done things the right way in bringing the Admirals back to the top.” — Matt Overning, Advocate-Messenger, Danville

James O’Connor

How you know him: Coached Louisville City FC to the championship of the United Soccer League

What a voter said: “Something unique happened in the commonwealth this year. A team in Kentucky won a high-level professional championship and it wouldn’t have happened without James O’Connor.” — T.J. Walker, CatsIllustrated.com

Dr. Greg Postel

How you know him: Interim University of Louisville president has presided over “cleaning up” of U of L athletics after a series of scandals that eventually led to the ousters of Athletics Director Tom Jurich and men’s basketball coach Rick Pitino

What a voter said: “Dr. Postel oversaw the responses to a series of athletics scandals that became the most talked-about news or sports story in the commonwealth this year. ... He’s exhibited little tolerance for shenanigans and has a desire to put the mission of the university above that of the athletic department.” — John Herndon, The Anderson News, Lawrenceburg

University of Louisville interim president Greg Postel has been faced with “cleaning up” after a succession of scandals rocked the U of L athletics department.

Timothy D. Easley Associated Press

Al Starnes

How you know him: Cancer survivor who stepped down after the 2017 season after 27 years as Crittenden County High School football coach

What a voter said: “Starnes led the Rockets to a 175-138 record, one state semifinals appearance, 11 regional semifinal appearances and was 2017 All-Purchase Coach of the Year. A fitting end to his long and storied career.” — Al Willman, The Paducah Sun

Kaylee Tow

How you know her: Won Kentucky Miss Softball after leading Madisonville (38-5) to the state championship

What a voter said: “The numbers she put up are unbelievable. She is very deserving of winning this award.” — Les Dixon, The Times-Tribune, Corbin

D’Mauriae VanCleave

How you know him: Explosive Danville High School wideout/running back led Admirals (15-0) to unbeaten Class 2A state title

What a voter said: “D’Mauriae VanCleave is so fast that defensive players see what’s coming from 20 yards away and still can’t react.” — Anthony Wireman, Allkyhoops.com

About Mark Story

I am a native Kentuckian, a graduate of North Hardin High School (Radcliff) and the University of Kentucky. I came to the Herald-Leader in the glamorous position of agate clerk on Aug. 27, 1990. Since that time, I’ve worked as small-college beat reporter, sports enterprise/investigative reporter and, since August, 2001, as a full-time sports columnist.